"A darkly atmospheric historical psychological mystery set in Cambridge in 1919, do step this way If you love an unreliable narrator who leaves you questioning your own thoughts."
A dark almost gothic side of Cambridge emerges through the fog just after the First World War, as widow Della finds an unforgiving world and increasingly turns to very petty theft and her herby sweet tonic for female disorders. Author AM Howell has created a wonderfully unreliable narrator in Della.
A number of strange almost otherworldly events start to haunt her and as she tells her story she begins to doubt herself. The house feels as though it is alive, and I wasn’t sure if a protective or destructive aura hovered within the walls. I adored Rabbit the dog, he adds a much needed comforting and steadying force.
Themes of power, manipulation and trust run through the novel with human behaviour in trying circumstances a main focus. The story continues to move in unexpected directions, with false ends and stretched reality cropping up to twist thoughts. If you enjoy examining human nature, puzzling through twists and turns, and a high-tension plot, then this may well be for you.
Claustrophobic and full of suspense, a lingering menace and creeping dread ensures historical psychological mystery Stolen Things is a rewarding read.
Isolated and unheard, this is a claustrophobic, dark, and moving portrait of a woman who must decide how far she's willing to go to protect her child and her home. For fans of Stacey Halls, Lizzie Pook, and Laura Purcell.
| Primary Genre | Thriller and Suspense |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
the best psychological thrillers · the best thriller audiobooks
Isolated and unheard, this is a claustrophobic, dark, and moving portrait of a woman who must decide how far she's willing to go to protect her child and her home. For fans of Stacey Halls, Lizzie Pook, and Laura Purcell.
Stolen Things features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Historical Fiction, Thriller and Suspense, Psychological thriller, Fiction, Psychological thriller, Historical Fiction, Narrative theme: Diversity, equality, inclusion, Narrative theme: Social issues, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss
Paperback. £9.89, down from the £10.99 cover price. Pre-order. 5th November 2026.
Stolen Things was written by A. M. Howell and published by Fox & Ink Books
Stolen Things has 327 pages
£9.89, reduced from £10.99. Pre-order. 5th November 2026.
